Bly, Oregon

Bly is in southeastern Klamath County, slightly west of Lake County, along Oregon Route 140. By highway, it is about west of Lakeview and east of Klamath Falls. == History ==

The name Bly comes from the Klamath word ''p'lai'', meaning 'up' or 'high', referring to its location at the upper Sprague River. The Sprague River post office was established in the area in 1873, and the name was changed to Bly in 1883. The 21st-century community of Sprague River is downstream and west of Bly and Beatty. Around 1900, Bly had two general stores, two hotels, and a saloon. World War II Bly is also the site of the only fatalities of World War II in the contiguous U.S. On May 5, 1945, a Japanese Fu-Go balloon bomb exploded as it was being pulled from the woods by curious picnickers. Rev. Mitchell heard the explosion and discovered the bodies. The victims' families were compensated by the government. A memorial was erected at what is now the Mitchell Recreation Area. ==Parks and recreation==

The OC&E Woods Line State Trail, the longest linear state park in Oregon, passes through Bly. The rail trail was built on the roadbeds of the former Oregon, California and Eastern Railway, which ran from Klamath Falls to Bly, and a former spur line, the Woods Line. ==References==